Earlier this week, it was announced that Ariana Grande would be joining “The Voice” as a coach for this season. Now, country music star Blake Shelton, who has been with the NBC reality show from the very beginning, is breaking his silence to address Grande signing on.

“About two days ago, the producers texted us and said it was going to be Ariana,” Shelton said to Hoda Kotb while appearing as a surprise co-host on “Today With Hoda & Jenna.” “I’m excited about it. I’m a fan of hers. I’m not going to lie, we’re still going to beat the crap out of her, you know, on the show. It’s our job — they pay us to win, Hoda. They don’t pay me to lose.”

After being on the show for 20 seasons, Shelton joked, “I used to look like Ariana when I started the show, and now look at me!”

Being on “The Voice” isn’t all fun and games for Shelton, however, as he admitted that the show is currently in his “least favorite” part of the competition, the Battle and Knockout Rounds. During this phase of the competition, coaches have to eliminate singers from their teams after head-to-head performances.

“You have these people, you beg them to be on your team and then, the very next thing you do is kick half of them off,” he explained, according to Entertainment Tonight. “That’s what makes it so great to watch as a fan of the show. I mean, that’s what keeps you on the edge of your seat. But as a coach, I hate that part.”

“My favorite is still the Blind Auditions,” Shelton added. “It’s so much fun that we get to hear all the singers and that’s when we really get to go for the throat, as far as the coaches competing against each other. That’s where I can’t wait to get a hold of Ariana.”

After Grande was announced as a coach on “The Voice” on Tuesday, she spoke out to say, “I’m so honored and excited to join The Voice family! I have been a huge fan of the show for such a long time. I can’t wait to go head-to-head with the incredible coaches, get to know these new artists and help to take their craft to the next level.”